Pompey Supporters' Trust step closer to buying Portsmouth

Contracts have been exchanged with the League One club's administrators PKF.

The deal now hinges on a court case next month at which PKF will attempt to gain permission to sell Fratton Park, which is controlled by former owner Balram Chainrai, to the fans' group.

Trust chairman Ashley Brown said: 'We are delighted to announce that, on Thursday afternoon, we exchanged contracts with PKF for the acquisition of PFC.

"We must now focus on securing the release of the charge on Fratton Park, which in turn will trigger the completion of the deal.

"We are on the verge of creating football history. Several thousand fans are already part of that and we urge others to now join us, so that they too will own a part of their club.

"We are confident of success in the court but we would still welcome the opportunity to settle quickly and allow us to start the job of rebuilding the club, with the community and supporters at its heart."